My k3 is a lemon

I have a K-3. It is a lemon. Out of warranty. I only just discovered there was a recall for a faulty off switch. I thought it was a charging problem with lithium batteries! I went back to my trusty old Pentax 100, with AA nicads. Dummy.

Sorry to hear you're having this problem If I remember correctly only a batch of the K-3II was recalled, and there's well known list of serial number ranges to avoid if you want to be certain you won't have the issue.

The K-3 and K-3II have proven themselves to be extremely reliable in general. Like any make and model of camera, there is a small failure rate, but we don't hear of many.

As I said, I misunderstood the problem. But I think I was registered with Ricoh. I did not hear about the recall. (The camera works only if you remove the battery after every session!) I bought 2 extra batteries at the time. It was depressing! An on-off switch that doesn't turn off? It beggars belief. Ricoh should have contacted me, like my car manufacturer does for recalls!

Welcome to the Pentax Forums! (I know, you have been with us since 2013, but this is only your second post.)

As noted above, there has been no official recall for the K-3 that we here are aware of and no known wide spread problems with the power switch on that model. That being said, it would be helpful if you might provide a detailed description of your problem as well as a bit of ownership history*.

Steve

* How long owned, bought new/used, shutter count, problems had in general, etc.

I have a K-3. It is a lemon. Out of warranty. I only just discovered there was a recall for a faulty off switch. I thought it was a charging problem with lithium batteries! I went back to my trusty old Pentax 1000, with AA nicads. Dummy.

What is the shutter count for this camera? I would think a problem like that on a camera like that would be worth fixing unless the camera has a really really high count.

I have a K-3. It is a lemon. Out of warranty. I only just discovered there was a recall for a faulty off switch. I thought it was a charging problem with lithium batteries! I went back to my trusty old Pentax 1000, with AA nicads. Dummy.

Did you buy the K-3 new? How long have you owned it? Why no posts asking for help till now? Have you contacted the Pentax repair facility in Australia?

As I said, I misunderstood the problem. But I think I was registered with Ricoh. I did not hear about the recall. (The camera works only if you remove the battery after every session!) I bought 2 extra batteries at the time. It was depressing!

If there was a recall, and it applies to your camera, and it hasn't been performed yet, I believe they will do the repair even outside of warranty.

However, AFAIK the recall applied to the K-3 II.

The batteries could be the problem. Are they fully charged and not too old? What's the manifestation of the issue?

No, I thought it was the batteries not charging properly, but I see now it is that stupid switch. I have located my sales receipt of 2015, and will contact the distributor, which is in my city, tomorrow!

Originally posted by Adam

If there was a recall, and it applies to your camera, and it hasn't been performed yet, I believe they will do the repair even outside of warranty.

However, AFAIK the recall applied to the K-3 II.

The batteries could be the problem. Are they fully charged and not too old? What's the manifestation of the issue?

---------- Post added 03-25-19 at 05:25 PM ----------

Yeah it was brand new. And a new model. I got it for long lens and also microscopy work. But put those projects aside for macro botany in the field, with my trusty old Pentax! The K3ii shutter count will be very low.
last shot - this morning
Camera PENTAX K-3 II
Shutter Count 318
Manufacture Date 2015:05:06
Lens smc PENTAX-DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM + 1.4x converter
(Don't laugh: I have a desktop computer that has only ever run Windows in Safe mode. A certifiable lemon, also new, 6+ years ago. Out of warranty also. But no one can source its prob! Of course I have other computers.)

Originally posted by Larrymc

Did you buy the K-3 new? How long have you owned it? Why no posts asking for help till now? Have you contacted the Pentax repair facility in Australia?

---------- Post added 03-25-19 at 05:35 PM ----------

The light bulb moment came when I found this, only a couple of days ago. It had not occurred to me the prob might be in the camera. Sure enough, my serial no is susceptible =6184626Ricoh offers fix for Pentax K3 II power-off problem
Thanks everyone for your interest. I will have to report what Ricoh does!

Originally posted by stevebrot

Welcome to the Pentax Forums! (I know, you have been with us since 2013, but this is only your second post.)

As noted above, there has been no official recall for the K-3 that we here are aware of and no known wide spread problems with the power switch on that model. That being said, it would be helpful if you might provide a detailed description of your problem as well as a bit of ownership history*.

Steve

* How long owned, bought new/used, shutter count, problems had in general, etc.